and we are afraid to tell people that they are overweight, because they may feel shame…

Just like Thanksgiving, National Donut Day is an excuse to eat unhealthily. Why? It’s because we are Americans, and we can do what we want.

That mindset needs to go.

I hate to be the guy to ‘ruin a good thing,’ but that’s just the type of person I am.

It’s this shameless marketing scheme, the world is now built on, where we want instant gratification, all of the time. It’s why gas stations are open 24/7 and businesses force their underpaid employees to work on Holidays.

What happened to us? Why are we giving up on the important values, we once held, as family driven communities?

Clever marketing happened. You believe that you are to feel good, all the time, that nobody is allowed to tell you you’re wrong, and that the things youwantare instead things youneed.

I could ramble on about this, for days, but the cut-and-dry fact of it is this: We, as a people, need to quit being so damn greedy. We need to quit catering to our wants, and worry about what’s really important.

Anyone else remember the ’90s?

I remember my parents having cookouts for our neighbors, instead of worrying about what they were doing on the other side of the fence. I remember going trick or treating, with a group of my peers, and not worrying about anything. I remember getting on my bicycle, on a Saturday morning, and riding around my neighborhood, with my friends, until the street lights came on. We didn’t stare at our phones all day, we didn’t have the world’s entire encyclopedia of knowledge at our fingertips…

and ya know what? We were happy.

So, My challenge to the world is this: Go introduce yourself to your neighbors. Go to the grocery store, buy some chicken, pork chops, steaks, vegetables; or whatever it is you like to eat. Invite those neighbors over, learn about them. Be social, without staring at your phone… Don’t be so afraid of the unknown. Don’t be afraid to admit that you’re wrong, or that you don’t know something. Google may have all the answers, but sometimes you have to figure things out for yourself. Stop being so offended by everything. Embrace your flaws, and learn to love yourself, before you can eliminate the things you are ashamed of.

I’ll be back shortly with the “Daily Prompt” I just had to get this off my chest.

Look, I’m not a mammoth of a human being, but I’m a hell of a lot heavier, than I want to be. Can I get an Amen, who isn’t?

Taking a desk job has just about been the literal death of me, and things got very real at my last annual checkup. I’m all about getting high scores in the videogame world, but blood pressure of 165/90-something is not a high score to be proud of.

So, what have I done to fix it? I didn’t do body wraps, or THRIVE (I have my own rant about that crock of garbage), or any of these gimmicks…. I started exercising and controlling the amount of food I eat!

Now, I love food… a lot.. I love cooking it, smelling it, eating it, everything about the endless combinations is fascinating to me… Unfortunately, when both you and your wife are exceptional cooks, you tend to eat a lot. Here’s a few things I’ve tried, to curb my tendencies to overeat:

Buy smaller plates: This sounds ridiculous, but it works. 8″ paper plates, from Sam’s Club, are the way to go. Only fill them once, with whatever you have for dinner, and JUST EAT THAT

Stop Buying Lunch: Spending 6 dollars a day for lunch at work, is just ridiculous. Plan something tasty and that is healthier than your current eating habits, and stick to it! OR, Since you didn’t eat so much for dinner, take some of those delicious leftovers!

Cut Down On Drinking: I’m no alcoholic, but I do love to unwind with a tasty beverage in the evening. Whiskey and Vodka don’t have the calories that beer does, but mixing it with coke is waaaay worse. If you HAVE to have a drink, try mixing it with Coke Zero, Pepsi Max, or Sprite Zero. Less calories and sugar = less fat.

Stop Eating Garbage: I know, you work hard. You don’t feel like cooking, and it’s just easier to order out. Not only is it expensive, it’s really REALLY REALLY unhealthy.

Vitamins & Water: Remember, your body tells you it’s thirsty, the same way it tells you that you’re hungry. I drink about 3/4 – 1 Gallon of water A DAY. In the same breath, you’re probably not getting all of the vitamins you need. Find a good well-rounded multivitamin and TAKE IT EVERY DAY!

Here’s what my wife and I started doing: She did some research and found a pile of delicious crock-pot meals, then made up a large list of ingredients (we stuck to pork, beef, and chicken proteins with similar ingredient recipes). We then went to the Grocery store, spent less than $300 (I know it sounds like a lot, just bear with me.) and managed to make 32 meals out of it, that are frozen and ready to stick in the crock pot. No extra cooking involved, just toss it in, go about your day, minimal preparation, and we eat GREAT.
* Buy crock pot bags, they make this all so much easier.

So, there you have it. You can do it, if I can. I’m down about 10ish pounds from where I was, and as I get more active in the Spring & Summer, hopefully I can reach my goal of losing 35 pounds.

Survive...
I feel like I’ve sold my soul to survive.
The irony is, I feel less alive.
Give of myself, to make the months rent,
but money isn’t the only thing spent.
A part of me dies, with each passing day.
A part of my life, I’ll never repay.
The weight of the world, my boots full of lead.
The the hell I endure, to purchase some bread.
Yet I press on, drag feet through the mud,
survive daily battles, and pay with my blood.
The struggle is worth it, and you know it’s true.
For I’d give all my worth, to come home to you.

I’m not one for poetry… But this just popped into my mind.

I’ve been struggling a lot lately, with stress at my job. It’s absolutely exhausting to put up with the drama that these middle-aged angry men thrive in.
I’ve been craving a change. I’ve never been one to stick with a place of employment, when I know I’m not going anywhere. The job market just sucks right now, and I don’t make bad money. I do feel that, this place drains me of my being and squashes my ability to create.

Fortunately, I get to go home to my family, every day, and they keep me going. Music, also keeps my head above water.

My wife and I have been discussing some major changes in scenery, and I couldn’t be more excited planning out our lives together. Even just exploring the ideas of being somewhere, other than this secluded valley we live in, excite the hell out of me! I think the both of us have been in survival mode, for so long, we have trouble being able to enjoy our lives to the fullest. Life with 4 kids, isn’t easy, but we are proud to say that they get the opportunities to do the things they want to do, unlike we did as children. We both came from not-very-well-off families, and have been blessed to be more successful, than where we came from. With that success, comes the chance to give our children the opportunities that we never had. The only downfall of that is: a creative person, like myself, has to give up on some of my own dreams. I’ve come to terms with the fact that I’ll never be a famous, touring musician a LOOONG time ago, and honestly, that’s not something I’ve ever been upset about. I enjoy being a local musician, and working with businesses in my region to try and get all of our names out there. So for my girls to be passionate about dance, singing, music, art, whatever they want to do.. is far more rewarding, especially with my ability to help them on some of it (mostly the music.. I’m not much of a dancer.. which is why I play music haha.)

Anywho, I’m done ranting. I hope you all are having a great week! My gig last night was a great success, and I’m on to gig #2 at the Four Friends Winery in Montgomery PA

I still have to work tomorrow and Friday, but I have 4 gigs, between now and Sunday!

I just wanted to take a moment and reflect on how incredibly lucky and blessed I am, to be able to perform music, something I love, and even make money with it sometimes.

It really is incredible, that in this armpit of Pennsylvania, a guy can be pretty decent at guitar and singing and do it to make ends meet. As we come up on this Memorial Weekend, I want to thank anybody who has served in our military, for keeping us safe. More importantly, for keeping us free. I’m sure there are places where my ideology would get me executed, but instead I have fans and friends who support my goals as a musician!

Remember: The men and women who are sworn to protect us, aren’t the same people who make our laws. I can respect the Military without supporting the poor decisions that our government seems to make.

I hope you can all take a moment and remember those who have paid the ultimate price, so we can express freely, in America.

What does it mean to leave an impression? This is important to me, as I try to carry myself in a professional light, as a musician and entertainer. I know so many musicians who are just… slobs. They dress poorly, show up late, act like children, and honestly just make me want to make an impression on their face… with my fist.

That being said, the bar is set pretty low, in my area, as far as musicians go. In fact, when my wife met me, she was leery because I was a ‘musician.’ Most musicians she knew, before me were pompous, arrogant, unprofessional, dirty, and most of all impolite.

I’m not saying I’m the most gentlemanly person on the planet, but if you’re going to do what I do, and be somewhat successful, you need to get your shit together and act like an adult.

What does that mean?

Show up to your gigs early: Trust me, you look like a total tool, when you’re trying to rush around and set things up.. That’s when you make mistakes. Nothing turns a crowd away from a band faster, then having microphones squeal and there being a large ruckus where the band/solo artist is setting up.

Dress the part: I’m not saying you have to be in full rockstar garb all the time, but try to look presentable. You’re holey Led Zepplin Tshirt from 1981 is not impressive. Wearing a nice button down shirt, jeans that aren’t falling off of you, and looking relatively well kept are not hard things to do. Now, If you’re in a 90’s grunge band, and you’re playing at a venue, go ahead, wear ripped jeans and flannel.. I’m focusing more on the acoustic aspect of things. I’m pretty sure Dave Grohl isn’t reading this blog, so real rock-stars need not apply.

Be respectable: Walk into the place, without a chip on your shoulder, find the nearest bartender/server/whoever is in charge, and figure out where you are to set up. Say please and thank you. Order a drink, pay for that drink, and worry about what’s free later on. REMEMBER, they are a business just as much as you are. You’re not doing any favors by drinking and eating all of their food for free.

DO NOT HAVE A RIDICULOUS GUEST LIST: Especially, if you are playing with other bands and charging a cover. Pick one: your girl/boy-friend, your favorite roadie, your corgi, I don’t care. Don’t expect to get your whole entourage in to the place for nothing. If there’s no cover, that’s fine, don’t try and get everyone free stuff, while you’re playing. Again, the venue is a business, and needs to be respected as such.

There’s just a few tips on leaving impressions, as a musician. I have so many of stories of groups that have done some seriously asinine things, and I wonder how they even manage to book gigs (most of them don’t anymore.)

Remember, live music and music venues need to work hand-in-hand to be successful. Don’t expect them to do all of the promoting. I know you’re too busy changing the world with your music, but making a Facebook event and inviting your following only takes about 10 minutes.

Alright, I’ve rambled on long enough. What other tips do you guys have, to leave great impressions?